Ms Hendrix, who was known as Dot to her friends, had been returning to her Anderson County home at 1am when the gang allegedly tried to rob her.

The 76-year-old fired at the group and one of them fired back, hitting Ms Hendrix in the abdomen and the arm.

A neighbor called police after hearing the gunshots, but Ms Hendrix died outside her home while a relative held her hand.

Hagood, who she shot in the stomach, was taken to hospital where he is under guard. As well as being charged with murder, the 33-year-old has been served with a family bench warrant for unpaid child support of $80,000.